Maine Breaks Boundaries With the Next Phase of MLTI: Here Comes the Touchscreen?

In terms of the technology being used to educate our children, the state of Maine has traditionally followed its state motto: “I Lead,” and has a strong history of being at the forefront with new technology in education. GeekMom has previously looked at iPads in the classroom, independent programs introducing kindergartners to the world of the touch pad. Now, the Maine Learning Initiative — MLTI — is on the verge of announcing its next steps, steps that will pave the way for 21st Century learners in Maine and across the U.S.

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As touch pads have become more ubiquitous in everyday life, and the current run of MLTI machines is coming to the end of its four year lifespan, tech savvy educators across the state have been wondering: “What comes next?” What device is sustainable, able to integrate with current methods of learning, and will prove to be a key aspect in the economic future of this country? It is very possible that the iPad or some other form of touchscreen will spearhead the learning initiative for Maine’s future students.

Why should you be paying attention to something happening in the far Northeast? Well, the progression of the initiative tracks the growth of technology in the classroom far beyond the traditional computer lab and the confines of one lone state. In 1999/2000 the State of Maine announced that it was going to use a one time surplus to initiate a scheme in Maine schools that would put a personal computing device into the hands of each middle school student and teacher. A task force was set up to determine what kind of plan would feasibly accomplish this lofty goal. The report issued in 2001 and ensuing legislation saw the program enacted in September 2002. Four years later, after great success a second RFP was issued to continue the program. In 2009 the program was extended into Maine High Schools when the State was able to lease 100,000 machines from Apple. In June of that year a further 64,000 MacBooks were ordered. The current bid, that asked for touchscreens and laptops to be proposed, has an option in place for other states to piggy back on the technology and the pricing obtained in Maine.

In Maine the program is not mandatory, but it has wide support from superintendents across the state. In January 2010 participation was recorded as follows: